Steam-engine system.



No. 842,588. PATENTE J' JAN. 29, 1907.

' D. M. SOMERS.

STEAM ENGINE SYSTEM. 7

APPLICATION FILED MAR.3,1900.

' a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 842,588. PATENTED JAN-29, 1907.

D. M. SOMERS.

STEAM ENGINE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR.3.1900.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

No. 842,588. PATENTED JAN. 29, 190?. n. M. SOMERS.

STEAM ENGINE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.3,1900.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 842,588. PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

- D. M. SOMERS.

STEAM ENGINE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR.3.1900.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 842,588. PATENTED JAN. 29,-190'7.

. D. M. SOMBRS.

STEAM ENGINE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-3. 1900. v

6 SHEET8-SHBHT 6.

v PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907. D. M. SOMBRS.

STEAM ENGINE SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR-3, 1900.

6 SHEETS-SE33! 6L To all whom it may concern: l

UNITED YsTATEs Pa r-BN1 OFFICE. I

- DANIEL M. soMERsoF' NEW YORK, N. Y.

STEAM-ENGINE SYSTEM.

, Specification of Letters Patent Patented Jan. 29, 1907.

Application filed March 3, 1900. Serial No 7.200.

and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

The chief object of the present invention 1s to avoid the difficulties heretofore existing in steam-enginesystems that use the water condensed from the exhaust-steam or condensewater as a part of the boiler feed-water resulting from such steam and condense-water its deposition an containinglubricating-oil, especially for the lubrication of the steam-cylinders, which oil is liable to cause eat damage on account of (i hardening on the heatingsurfaces of the boiler and the consequent Waste of heat and danger of burning out the boiler tubes or sheets. These difficulties have long been recognized, and many efforts have been made to avoid them, such efforts being directed especially to the removal of the oilfrom the condense-water before its admission to the boiler-feed water or before reaching the boilers. These efforts, however, have'been only partially successful, and the use of condense-water as any considerable proportion of the whole amount of feedwater is not secured only at large expense and constant watchfulness and attended by the danger of inefficient removal of the oil and consequent injury to the boilers.

The presentrinvention largely avoids the difiiculties above referred to in the use of condensed water as a part of the feed-water providing eflicient means for using water or other non-oily liquid for lubricating steamcylinders, so that this largest source of oil in the exhaust-steam and water condensed therefrom is entirely removed, while a perfect lubrication of the steam-cylinders is secured.

While water orsimilar non-oily fluid may be used under all circumstances in lubricating' steam-cylinders in accordance with my invention, it may be found desirable to use some oil inrthe lubricating liquid in starting new engines and until the en ine reaches its normal running condition, W ch, as is well known, is not reached until the engine has been run for more or less time, depending upon the character of the construction and fitting of the parts. I have provided there I fore a steam-engine system in which provision is made for the use of oil for lubricating the steam cylinder or cylinders, as required, and in which my improved means for applying the lubricating liquid in the cylinder under proper pressure maybe used with more or less oil. in the Water or other lubricating liquid as long as desired and then the lubricating liquid be changed and the system be used with water as the lubricating liquid,

which water may be taken from the hot-well or othersuitable supply.

With my improved means for ap lying the liquid for lubricating the steam-0y inder also the oil is not vaporized in the steam-cylinder as in the methods now in use for applying oil for lubricating the cylinder, but substantially all the oil remains in the lubricating liquid and circulates in the lubricating system and does not pass into the boilerfeedwater. I am thus enabled to use oil or oily liquid for cylinder lubrication and secure many advantages in the system over other methods of cylinder lubrication, and while I preferably use Water for the lubricating liquid on the normal running of the engine the use of my improved system of cylinder lubrication With any liquid or emulsion desired is within the invention, considered broadly.

Moreover, in thepresent methods of using,

lubricating li uid all the oil used is applied properly, so t at only a very small quantity need ever be used. i

In connection with providin means for the efficient ap lication of liquid for lubricating steam-cylinders I have made also certain improvements in piston construction and means for applying liquid under-pressure by which the required piston-rin' pressure is secured by the pressure of the iquid, thus providing a uniform pressure, Which may readily be gaged and accurately adjusted in place of the objectionable spring-pressure eretofore used. J r The invention therefore includes an improved steam-cylinder-lubricating system and means for the efficient application of a liquid for cylinder lubrication and certain and particularly pointed out in the claims.

a detailed description of constructions embodying all the features of the same in someof the preferred forms will now be given in connection with the accompanying draw ings, forming a part of this specification, and in whic I Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of so much of a modern steam-engine system 'as is necessary to illustrate the present invention. Fig: 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the main engine with the lubricating-pump mounted thereon and showing the lubricating-liquid connections. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a portion of the main en e lookin from the opposite side. Fi 4 1s a verticai cross-section on the line 4 0 Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view, on an enlargedscale, of the steamiston of the main engine,-the lower part 0 the view being in side elevation and the upper in central section. Fig. 6 is a crosssection on the line 6 of Fig. 5, with the piston-rod broken away to shorten the view.

Fig. 6 is a face view of a portion of Fig. 6,- showing the joint between the piston-ring sections and keepers.

Fig. 7 is a section'on theline 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail view similar to the upper part of Fig. 5, but showing a modified construction. -Fi 9 is a side view of the boiler feed-pump wit the steam and water cylinders in central section to show the construction. Fig. .10 is an enlarged central section of the steam-piston of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a crosssection of the same on the line 11 of Fig. 10, with the keeper removed. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a face view of one ofthe piston-sections. Fig. 14 is asimilar view of one of the keepers, Fig. 15 is acentral detail section of the end of the plunger-rod of the feed-pump. Fig. 16 is a detail view of the valve of Fig. 15. Figs. 17 to 21 show a modified lubricating liquid-supply construction. Fig. 17 shows a portion of the steamcylinder and cradle of the engine, with the cradle in plan and the cylinder in horizontal section. Fig. 18 is a 'side view of the same with the piston in a different position. Fig. 19 is a cross-section on the line 19 of Fig. 17. Fig. 20 is a central section through the piston and liquid-supply pipe of Figs. 17 to 19. Fig.- 21 is a cross-section on the line 21 of Fig. 20. Fi 22 is a vertical section through a steamcy inder, with half the piston in elevation and the other half in central vertical section,

- showing a modified construction of piston I the sections in Fig. 23.

and means for applying the liquid for lubricating and balancing. Fig. 23 is a side view of a portion of the movable sections of the piston-rings. Fig 24 is a detail view looking down on one of the sections of Fig. 23. Fig. 25 is a detail view of the under side of one of Fig. 26 is a central section of a steam-cylinder with the piston in elevation, showing another means for supwater or water 0 plying the fluid for lubricating and balancteferring now especially to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 16, the engine system illustrated is one having a sing e main or working engine, from which the exhauststeam passes through a heater,which is shown as of the form generally known as a Berriman heater, either to a steam-heating system or directly to a surface condenser, and the water of condensation from either the steam heating system or the surface condenser passes thence to the hot-well, from which a oiler feedump delivers the feed ---water through the I 3err1man heater to the boilers, and the exhaust-steam from the boiler feedpump. and from other auxiliary engines, if used, passes with the exhaust from the main steam-engine to the heater, ,such systems being now in common use and being selected for illustration as well adapted for the embodiment of the present invention, although it will be understood that the features forming my invention may be applied to 'a steam-engine system of any character.

In the system shown, A is the main engine, having the piston B. and piston-rod C andfrom which the exhaust-steam passes by exhaust-pipe D to the Berriman heater E and thence either to the steam-heating system through pipe F, controlledby valve 10, or through pipe F, controlled by valve 10, to surface condenser G, where the steam is condensed by the condensing water admitted through pipe H and delivered from the condenser -through pi e I, and the condensecondensation from the heating system or from the surface condenser G passes to the hot-well K through pipe L from the heating system or pipe L from the surface condenser. The boiler feed-water is taken from the hot-well K throughpipe 11,

.ICO

which is the suction-pipe of the boiler feedpump M, and delivered by the pump through. force-pipe 12 into the bottom of the- Berriman heater E and through the heater to the boilers through pi e X, (the boilers not being shown and the ex aust-steam from the boiler feed-pump M passes through exhaust-pipe 13 to the main exhaust-pipe D, so that the exhaust-steam from the boiler feed-pump is delivered to the heater with the steam from the main engine. The hot-well K is provided with an overflow-pipe N, communicating with the sewer-pipe O, as usual in such systems.

Referring now to the novel parts of the system shown, by which the present invention is applied to the general system, the lubricati'ngand balancing liquid is forced under the desired pressure through the steam pistonrod 0 and the piston B by a small pump P, (shown in Fig. 2 as mounted on the enginecradle,) the suction-pipe 14 of which pump connects with the tank Q through pipe 15 or ble readily be secured by the action of pump P and the adjustment of the relief-valve 23. I thus provide for a uniform-piston-ring pressure whichis gaged by gage S and may be adjusted accurately, so as to .secure just the pressure desired and wholly avoid the serious objections to constructions in which the piston-ring pressure is, secured by springs}: in

which the pressure is not/uniform, and there is alwa s llabili'ty to leakage on account of too littfia pressure or cutting the cylinder in case of too much pressure.

As shown in Figs. and 6, the two expansipiston-rings carrying the li uid-grooves e are ormed of sections f of consi erable length and smaller sections or keepers g, by which the sections f are ke t in osition and the ring com leted. Eac of t ese sections and kee ers as an inwardlyextending rib 10, which ribs fit closely in annular grooves in'the piston, forming the chambers '0, so that these ribs w form the'outer walls of the chambers. These. sections and kee ers f g are'shown as pressed outwardly by at springs 40, which. are divided or consist of two springs on oppo holding the sections and keepers 1n position under alight pressure when the liquid-pressure is not on. The steam may be allowed to blow through between the piston and cyl-' inder-in starting-, to clean t e surfaces, by

using only'the-spring-pressure and then ap-* plying theliquid-pressure by pump P. 7

It is necessary that tight joints be formed by the sections and keepers so asto prevent liquid passing from the chambers cor from the grooves e, so as to exert outward or inward pressure on the rings in such a way as to affect the relations of pressure upon the inner and outer sides of the rings, as determined by g the relative width of the chambers c and grooves e, and for this purpose the following construction is shown in Figs. 5 and 6; Each of the keepers g is rovided at opposite ends with a heel 1, which heels form extensions of the rib w and enter grooves on the inner sides of the opposite ends of the adjacent sections f, so that .the pressure in chambers c, acting upon the inner faces of the ribs w of keepers g, press these heels 1 outward against the inner surface of the grooves in the sections f, andthus maintain a tight joint, so that the liquid cannot pass from these chambers between the sectlons and keepers as the latter move from each'other circumferentiallyof'the piston in the expansion of the rim. Each of the sections f is also provided with a wide tongue 2, which enters a groove in the outer face of the adjacent. keeper g, these tongues carrying the grooves e, so that the two tongues 2 of 1 sections. on opposite sides of a keeper 9 lap over'the face of the keeper and form an approximately continuous groove 0, the pressure of the liquid in the grooves e on the outer faces offthe tongues 2 "thus pressing these tongues into contact with the -outer faces of the grooves in the keepers g, in which the tongues move, to maintain a tight joint between these surfaces, so that the liquid from groove 6 cannot pass between them when the tongues 2- separate in expanding the ring.

It will be seen that my pistoh construction provides for the a plication of water or other ubricating liqui in a .very advantageous manner and that I at the same time provide for securing a uniform and readily-controllable pressure upon an expansible piston rin or rings. This uniform ty and controllability. of the pressure is very lmportant, not only in connection with securing the desired piston-ring pressure, but. also in connection with lubricating, as it enables just the desiredl ubricating action to be secured without .'danger of esca e of steam or the undesirable passage of the ubricating liquid'to the cylinr-er.

' One of the important advantages of my construction, from the lubricating standpoint, is that the steam-pressure on the side from which the piston is moving prevents the escape of the liquid on that side, while the lower exhaust pressure on the side toward which the piston is moving permits the liquid to escape a little on that side, and thus keep the cylinder constantly wet in advance of its travel.

The central groove 0 is formed in'a stationary non-expansiblering h and is used for the purpose of balancing the piston-that is, of

exerting, a lifting-pressure upon the piston sufficient to balance the weight of the piston-'- and. thus prevent the lower surface of the iston bearing upon and wearing away the nner surface of the bottom of the cylinder. For this purpose the groove e is made differential'that is,varying in size -so as to secure the effective lifting-pressure desired, being shown as wider in the lower part of the piston .than in the upper, the wider portion of the groove-e being formed, as shown in Fig. 5, by cutting away the walls of the ring h which ICC form the groove, so as to enlarge the groove to theextentfdes'ired, as shownatl). The result may be secured in a manner which will' robably be found preferable by allowing the iquid to act upon the full face of the ring h between the two rings formed by the sections f and kee ers g, but cutting away the face of the ring in the upper part of the'piston on opposite sides and widening the sections and keepers forming the two expansible rings on their inner sides, so as to overlap upon the cutaway portions of the ring h. In this modified construction the ring it will be its full 1 t aaessa with the hot well- K through pipe '16, these from either the tank Q or the hot-well K; The force-pipe 17 of this pump P connects through a-pipe 18' and stationary bearing 19. with a link-pipe 20, and thus through s'wln ing pipe 21 to the fluid-passage a of theho low piston-rodQ- all the joints of these pipe connections being of any common or suitable form, so as to permit the movement of the pipes Without leakage, the joint between pipe 21 and the piston-rodbeing shown in Fig. 7 and the fluid from the force-chamber of pump P thus being forced into the piston,

' pipe 17 and the water in the piston B, the

water circulating at this pressure between the force and suction of the pum when the valves in pipes 16 are near y closed, it

being necessary only to admit a little water to the suction of the pump through either pipe 15 or ipe 16 to supply the small wasteof water wliich is forced through on the ad vance side of the piston-rings. An oil-tank R is provided, which is connected with the suction-pipe 14 by a small ipe 24, controlled by a cock, so that oil may e admitted to the suction-pipe in such quantity as-desired-as in starting a new engineand cut oil at will. A pressure-gage S is mounted on the standard 25, which supports the joint 19, and connected to the water-space in said joint, so that the pressure of the liquid in the iston is alwaysin view of the engineer, am by adjustment of the relief-valve 23 the desired reading of the pressure-gage maybe secured. Steam is admitted to thesteam end of pump P through induction-pipe 26 and exhausted through exhaust-pipe 27 ,which exhaust-pipe 27 connects with exhaust-pipe 13 of pump M, so that the exhaust from ump P passes with the exhaust from pump to the heater with the main exhaust. The drip from main exhaust-pipe D passes through plpe 28 to the tank Q, and this pipe 28 receives also the drip 'fromexhausvpipes 13 and 27 through dripthrough pipe 31.

pipe 29.

The overflow from tank Q, passes through pipe 30, which connects with the tank near its bottom to steam-trap tank T, and the drip from the Berriman heater Epasses to pipe 30 with a float 32 and float-lever 33, which lever connects, through link 34, with a valve on steam pipe 35, so that when the tank is filled to the level for which the arts are adjusted the valve is opened an I steam admitted The tank T is provided through ipe 35 above the water in the tank T and t e Water in the tank thus forced through pipe -36'-to thehot-well K. When the water has been removed, so that the float has fallen to the desired. point, the steam:

valve is closed and the steam out off for the the application of the liquid therein for cylin derlu rication and balancing the piston, the li uid assage a, previously described and with w iich the force-pipe 17 of the ump P connects for maintaining the desired liquidpressure, is closed at the outer side ofthe piston by ,a screw-plug 89 and is connected by passages b, extending'outward from the piston center, with annular liquid-chambers 0, extending about the piston, and which liquidchambers are. connected by small liquid-passages d with annular grooves e in the circumference of the piston, in which grooves the liq uid'comes in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder, so as to lubricate the latter. As shown in Fig. 5, there are two of these annular liquid-chambers c and three grooves e, and each of these grooves is supplied from the passage a by a passage or pasthe chambers c is connected with the corresponding groove e by one or more passages d,

as may be found desirable.

The two outer grooves e of those shown in Fig. 5 are formed in the sections of expansible piston-rings which form that portion of the peripher of the -iston which comes in contact wit the cy inder and which form the outer wall of chambers c, the pressure upon these sections forcing them out into contact with the inner surface of the cylinder beingsecuredby the excess of liquid-pressure upon the inner side of' these sections, which are made differential to secure this result, the extent of inner surface being properly proportioned to'the outer surface, the, effective outward pressure on the ring obviously being dependent upon the surface on the inner faces of the sections acted upon by the outward pressure in chambers c, as compared with the Ire surface of the grooves e, in which the pressure of the liquid tends to force the sections inizo ward.- It will be seen that by calculating in the construction of the piston the inner and outer differential areas of the piston'-ringsthat is, the width of the chambers c relatively to the width of the grooves e-the piston may be constructedso as to secure just the required outward pressure upon the expansible piston-rings for a certain liquid-pressure in passage (1, and just the required pressure in this passage to secure the result desired may duced, so as to secure just the balancing or lifting pressure required by cutting away more or less of the ring on opposite sides and correspondingly wide the sections and keepers of the other rings 1n the upper part of will b the piston. In either of these constructions that is, with the pressure-surface increased in the lower part of the piston or decreased in the upper part of the piston for balancingi-t ing effect on thepiston may readily be see: cured by calculating the required relative accordance with the we' t ofthe piston and the pressure of the flui in the constructing the iston accor ingly. As previously describe in connection w1th the :expansible rings, just the pressure desired for balancing the piston may readily be secured and maintained by the action of the pump P and the ad ustment of the relief-valve 23. The ring h may be an expansible ring formed in the same manner as the other two rings;

but preferably it is a continuous non-expansible ring. It will be understood that this piston-balancing feature is applicable only to horizontal pistons, although the lubricating and piston-ring features are applicable also to vertical pistons.

The operation of the system thus far described will be readily understood from the drawings and the above description, it being explained that oil may be introduced to suction-pipe 14 of pump P from tank R as desired, as in starting a new engine, supplypipe 15 from tank Qbeing then used for )the supply of lubricating liquid, this tank receiving the drip from the exhaust-steam with such oil as it may contain. It will be seen that the supplyme 15 takes the water from the top of tank wherev the oil collects, and that pipe 30 to tank T connects with the lower art of the tank Q, so as to deliver to tank T water from which the oil has been largel removed by-rising to the surface in tank Whendesired, as when the engine has attained'its normal runningcondition,

the oil-feed may be cut off, feed-waterintroduced to pump'P and the piston from the hot-well through supply-pipe 16, and the pump P run with the feed-water, pipe 16 being cut off, valve 23 opened, and the pump P run on the circulating connections 22 when the desired pressure is attained, when the setting of valve 23 determines the pressure maintained in the piston, or the tank Q may be cleaned-out and used with non-oily water, as the supply of pump P through pipe 15. p

The pump P is of'so small size that my lubricating means need not beapplied thereto, but pipe connections a: from force-pipe 17 to the hollow piston-rod are shown in Fig. 2, so that the piston of pump P may be e seen that the exact balancing or lift-Q "supplied with liquid from pressure-surfaces in iston and.

lubricated in the same manner as piston B and from the same pressure-supply.

It is not essential that the special lubricaj'pipe 17, so that if desired for any reason the pump P may be cut off and the cock on pi e (I; being opened the lubricatingxsystern be pi ef under the pressure of the feed-pump It is possible also to secure therequired pressure in the lubricating s stem by takin the water directly from t e water in the oilers through suitable piping, which should preferably be provided with devices for adjusting the pressure. I havevnot shown the-1i uid as used in the stuffing-boxes for lubricatlng the piston-rod of engine A or the pistonor plunger rods of pump M or pump P, but it will be understood that liquid under the desired pressure may readily be supplied to these stufiing-boxes, being most convenientl taken from pipe 18-. It will be understoo that li uid may be supplied to the pipe P throug pipe 17 to any desired number of engines in the same manner as to the piston-of engine A, and pipe 17 is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 as extended above pipe as and broken, as though extending to other engines.

The piston-lubricating construction of the feed-pump M is shown in Figs. 9 to 16 and will now be described. The piston-balancing feature is omitted in connection with this pump, as it is unnecessary on account of its small size. The pump is shown as of a common type of duplex pump; but it will be understood that the same construction may be applied to pumps of other form. The pump M has the steam-cylinders m and the pump-cylinders n, in which move, respectively, the steam-piston U and pumpplunger V, which piston and plunger are connected directly by the rod 0, through which extends the water-passage a. This water-passage a connects by passage 6 with the annular water-chamber c from which the water passes through one or more passages d to the annular water-groove e on the outer face of the sections f and keepers g, which form the expansible ring of the piston, and the water-passage a communicates at the outer side of the plunger with the waterspace in cylinder 11, through a valve 3 41, mounted in a cap 420m the end of the rod 0 and seated by spring 43 against valve-seat 44 in the cap, so as to normally close under spring-pressure the connection of the waterpassage awith the-water-space incylinder 7; but this connection opens by the move-' quid may be 4 passage of water, when the sections and well adapted for use with small pistons. Thesections f and keepers g of the piston U are "formed with the lubricating-groove e on their outer faces and with small grooves orannular notches 3 on opposite sides of the groove e, which aid in preventing the escape of liquid into the cylinder or leakage of steam. Each of the sections f carries at opposite ends a central tongue 4 on opposite sides of the rib w; and the keepers g are grooved at opposite ends and on opposite sides of the ribs w to receive these tongues, the tongues 4 fitting tightly in the grooves in the keepers g, so as to form tight joints between the inner and outer surfaces of the tongues and grooves, thus preventing the eepers are separated in the expanded ring. The inner and outer surfaces of the tongues and grooves are shown as plane surfaces and not curved concentrically with the piston, so that the sections and keepers may move toward and from each other, while maintaining extended surfaces incontact for forming the water-tight joints. The expansible ring of the piston U is shown as provided with coiled springs 45 in place of the fiat springs 40 of the piston B, these coiled springs pressing against the inner side of the sections f and serving to hold the sections and keepers in position when the pressure does not act for that purpose, these coiled springs 45 be ing of sufficient strength to maintain the desired pressure on the movement of the piston U when the water-pressure is not applied, as is necessary in case the piston U moves to the left on its first stroke in'starting the pump. The action of this construction will be readily understood from. the drawings and a brief description. Assuming that the piston U and plunger V are moving to the right in Fig. 9, the pressure in advance of the plunger-that is, the

force-pressure of the pumpopens the valve 41, and thus the water under this pressure passes through the passages a b d to the groove e, and thus is applied under the forcepressure for lubricating the cylinder. .Upon the return stroke of the piston and plunger in the opposite direction the valve 41 is moved by the spring 43, and the pressure in the piston acts against the suction-pressure in the pump-chamber, so as to close the connection between the passage a and the pumpchamber behind the plunger, and thus the water is retained in the piston-rod, piston, The loss of pressure in the springs 45. If a connection between passage valve 41 be made and contro ed by a similar valve opening in the opposite direction, the required liquid-pressure in the piston U will be maintained on both strokes of the piston,

and the springs 45 may be omitted or light Z s rings substituted. It will be seen that-in this construction the pressure of the water in the iston-and' in groove 0' is directly depen ent u- OIl thG force-pressure in the pump, an thus varies according to the steam-pressure which is a desirable feature of this construction. The desired pressure of the water or other li uid in the piston may be secured by many different means, and I have shown in Figs. 17,t0 26 some of the man forms of construction that may be used for t 's purpose.

In Figs. 17 to 21 1 have shown a construction in which the liquid is not introduced into the piston through the piston-rod, but through a separate pipe i, in which isa'waterpassage a), correspondin to the water-pas.- sage a of the piston B, t e piston shown in these figures struction as the piston U of the pump M and as abovedescribed in connection with Figs.

.9 to 16, so that the same reference-letter may be applied to it. This pipei is shown as opening directly into the annular chamber e and rigidly secured to the piston U, so as to moveltherewith. This pi e i must be con nected with the water-supp y by some form of flexible connection, for which an ordinary flexible ipe may be used; but for compact otherwise the same in con-' 0" and the side of the plunlger V opposite ness an convenienceI preferably use and a have shown this pipe as connected to the water-supply by a lazy-tongs 70, one arm of Which consists of water-pipe sections connected by tight joints, and the pipe 1 is thus connected to the liquid-sup ly pipe I, which may be fed by the pump as 111 the construction reviously described, or from any suitable liquid supply under the desired pressure. A gage S is shown as connected to the supply-pipe l by a short pipe 46. The pressure in the piston V is thus known to the engineer, so that it may be adjusted as required.

In Figs. 22 to 26 I have shownv two con structions in which the pressure of the liquid in the piston is secured by a pumpoperated directly by the steam in the steam-cylinder, so that the pressure of the liquid in the piston is directly dependent upon and varies with the steam-pressure, which is very desirable, as assuring exactly the required pressure for lubrication without the escape of the liquid into the cylinder. In the construction shown in Fi' s. 22 to 25 the pump is placed within the piston itself, the piston otherwise struction of the expansible rings is modified. In this piston B the water-passage a is in is illustrated in detail in Figs. 23 to 25, these steam-chambersv in the piston B, W ich steam-chambers run lnto the steam-c hnder the piston-rod, as in the case of the water passage (1 in piston B, and this water-passage a connects by two water-passa es b with an annular water-chamber c, which extends over and feeds all the three series of assages (1 through which the grooves e for ubricating and balancing are fed. Intersectingthe two assages b are two cross passa es or cham ers' 17, containing the 1piston-Va ves 9, these chambers 1) running t rough the piston, so that the steam in the cylinder on the opposite side of the piston B acts upon the o posite ends of these piston-valves 1g, theser c ambers preferably not opening ful size to the cylinder, but bein connected therewith by short passages 47 of reduced diameter, so as to secure a cushioning effect and avoid slamming of the valves g. Between the two piston-valves g, within the piston B and' in-" tersecting the two liquidpassages?) is thepump-chamber 1", in which moves the plunger 8, carried by rod t, on opposite ends of which are the steam-pistons u, movin in on opposite sides of the piston throug 1 small passages 48, these small passages securing the cushioning of the pistons 11 in their movement with the plunger 8. The operation of this pumping device is as follows: As shown in Fig. 22, the piston B is moving to the right, the piston-'Val'ves (1 have been moved by the steamressure in front of the piston to the left in ig. 22, and the piston u with the plunger 8 moved in the same direction by the same pressure, so that liquid has been drawn from the liquid-passage a into the chamber 1" behind the plunger s through the passage 1) at the right in Fig. 22 and the liquid in chamber 1" in front the plunger 8 has been forced through the passage b at the left hand of-Fig. 22 into the chamber a", the other sections of the assages b communicating, respectively, w1th the passage (1 and the chamber 0 being closed by the pistonvalves q. On the change of the steam-pressure in the steam-cylinder for the reversal of the piston B the piston-valves g and the pistons u with the ump-plunger s are thrown in the opposite direction, and thus liquid is drawn into the pump-chamber rthrough the section of the left-hand passage b communicatin with the chamber (1. and liquid is force into the annular chamber 0 through the section of the right-hand passage b communicating with chamber 0 the other sections of the passages t being closed by the piston-valves q; Thus the required pressure in annular chamber 0 and in the grooves e is maintained, and this pressure is directly dependent upon the pressure ofsteam in the cylinder. a

The form of the sectionsf of the piston B sections being all of the same size and form instead of .using long sections and short keepers, as in the constructions previously described. In this construction each'of the sections f having the groove e .on theirouter faces, is provided atone end with a tongue 5 and at the opposite end with a notch 6, these tongues and notches being arranged so as to secure extended surfaces in contact as the sections move from each other 1n expanding the ring, so as to assure the prevention of liquid passing between these surthus prevent the steam crossing over the ring through these j ointswhen the sections separate in expanding the rings, If only one ring he used, these notches 7 and pieces 8 will be used on each side of the ring. Flat springs 40, which are divided, as in the case of t 1 e springs shown in Figs. 5 and 6 so as to apply outward pressure to the sections on oppo- Sol site sides of the inwardly-extending rib w on the sections against which the pressure of the liquid in chamber a acts, are used, these springs performing the same function as the springs 40 of the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in holding the sections in osition under light pressure when the liqui pressu're is removed. V

In Fig. 26 I have shown a construction similar in operation to that shown in Fig. 22 and in which the liquid-pressure is directly dependent upon the steam-pressure; but this steam-pressure is applied in actuating a pump placed outside the cylinder instead of within 'the piston, as in the construction shown in Fig. 22. In this construction (shown in Fig. 26) the steam-chambers v and pump-chamber 1", corresponding to the chambers '12 r of Fig. 22 are mounted uponthe top of the cyl- TIO inder and the pump-chamber r connected by suctioni e 50 to a suitable li uid-su ply and by face-pipe 51 and suitable fleziible connections (not shown) to pipe 52, which connects with pi e i, which is connected to the piston U in t e-same manner as shown in Figs. 17 to 21, the piston U being shown also as. of the .same construction as piston U. The outer ends of the steam-cylinders o are connected by pipes 53 with the oppositeends of the steam-cylinder, so that the pistons in cylinders 12 are subjected alternately to"- the pressure on the induction and exhaust sides of the piston U. The operation of this construction is the same as of that shown in Fig. 22, the steam-pistons in-cylinders 1) being actuated so as to move the pump-plunger in opposite directions by the induction and exhaust pressures of the steam-cylinder applied used in this pum "alternately-to these pistons through the pipes 153 and the pressure of the li uid in the -p1ston U being maintained by t e action of the pump-plunger in pump-chamber 1" moved. by these istons, it being understood that any suitab 0 form of voluntary valves may be It will be undgrstood that-the broad features of my invention may be embodied in other constructions than those illustrated andt'hat manymodifications may be made in the constructions shown by those skilled in the art while employing not only the broader but more specificv features of my invention, and I am not to be limited .to the exact constructionor arrangement of parts illustrated for carryi out my invention. 1 d

What aim is- 1. In a steam-engine system in which the exhaust-steam from the engine is condensed and the condense-water fed to the boilers, the combination with the engine-piston having one or more annular grooves in its periphof means for forcing liquid into said groove or grooves through'the piston and maintaining said liquid in said groove .or grooves under pressure, a drip-tank receiving the drip from the exhaust-steam connections,

a tank receiving the overflow from the driptank and connected to the boiler-feed supphy, and connections controlled by a float for a mitting steam to said second tank to secure the feed of the water in said tank to the boiler-feed supply when the Water in the tank reaches a certain level, substantially as described.

2. In a steam-engine system in which the exhaust-steam from the engine is condensed and the condense-water fed to the boilers, the combination with the engine-piston having oneor more annular grooves in its periphery, of a pump and suitable connections for forcing liquid into said groove or grooves and maintaining said liquid in said groove or grooves under pressure, a drip-tank receiving the drip from the exhaust-steam connections, a tank receiving the overflow from the driptank and connected to the boiler-feed sup-' ply, connections controlled by ;a float for admitting steam to said tank to secure the feed of the water in said tank totheboiler-feed supply when the water in the tank reaches a certain level, and connections to the suction of said pum for supplying said pump from the drip-tan substantially as described;

3. In a steam-engine system in which the exhaust-steam from the engine is condensed and the condense-water fed to the boilers, the combination with the engine-piston having one or more annular grooves in its periph- I ery, of a pump and suitable connections for forcing liquid into said'groove or grooves and maintaining said liquld in said groove or grooves under pressure, a dr1p-tank receiving a certain level, and connections to the suction of said pump for supplying said pump from the drip-tank or from the boiler-feed supply, substantially as described.

4 In a steam-engine system in which the exhaust-steam from the engine is condensed and the condense-water fed to the boilers,

the combination with the engine-piston having one or more annular-grooves in' its periphery, of a pump and :su1table connections for forcing liquid through the piston into said groove or groovesfconnections between the suction and force sides of said pump for circulating 'the liquid to maintain the pressure in said groove or grooves, and an ad ustable valve on said" circulating connections for regulating the pressure in the piston, substantially as described.

5. The combination with an engine-piston having one or more annular grooves in its periphery, of a pump and suitable connections for forcing liquid into said piston and maintaining liquid under pressure in said groove or grooves, means for cutting off the supply from said pump, and connections between thesuction and force sides of said pump for circulating the liquid for maintainmg the pressure, substantia ly as described.

6. The combination with an engine-piston having one or more annular grooves in its periphery, of a pump and suitable connections for forcing liquid into said piston and maintaining liquid under pressure in said groove or grooves, connections between the suction and force sides of said pump for circulating the liquid for maintaining the pressure in the piston, and an adjustable valve on said circulating connections foradjusting the piston, substantially as stantially as described.

8. The combinatlon with an engine-piston having one or more annular grooves in its periphery, of a pump having force-pipe 17," suitable connections between said force-pipe and piston, suction-pipe 14, circulating-pipe 22 connecting said pipes 14, 17 supply-pipe 16 and means for closing and opening said supply-pipe, and adjustable valve 23 on the clrculating connections, substantially as dethe drip from the exhaust-steam connections, 1 scribed.

- provided with annular grooves 9. The-combination with an enginepiston having one or more annular grooves inits periphery, of a pump having force-pipe 17, suitable connectlons between said force-pipe and piston, suction-pipe 14 and circulatingpipe 22 connecting said pipes 14, 17, supplypipes 15, 16, and means for closing either or both of said supply-pipes, substantially as described.

10. The combination with an engine-piston having one or more expansible piston-rings provided with annular grooves in their periphery, of an annular liquid-chamber within the piston the outer wall of which is formed by said ring or rings, liquid-passages between said liquid-chamber and said grooves, the total outward pressure on the inner side of the expansible ring or rings from the liquidchamber being in excess of the total inward pressure on the ring or rings from the liquidgrooves, and springs pressing outward upon said expansible ring or rings, substantially as described. I

1 1. The combination with an engine-piston having one or more expansible piston-rings in their periphery, of a liquid-chamber within the piston the outer wall of which is formed by said ring or rings, liquid-passages between said liquid-chamber and said grooves, the total outward pressure on the inner side of the expansible ring or rings from the liquid-chainer being in excess of the total inward pressure on the ring or rings from the liquidgrooves, and means for maintaining liquid in said chamber and grooves under adjustable pressure, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a horizontal engine-piston having an annular liquid-space wider in the lower part of the piston than in the upper part and two expansible pistonrings on opposite sides of said water-space provided with annular grooves, of a liquid chamber or chambers within the piston, the liquid in which acts against the inner sides of the expansible rings, liquid-passages between said liquid-chamber and the grooves and liquid-space, said expansible rings being formed to expose a larger surface to the out ward pressure in the liquid-chamber than to the inward pressure in the grooves, and connections between said liquid chamber or chambers and a source of liquid-supply under pressure, substantially as described.

13. At piston having an expansible ring formed of sections provided with inwardlyextending ribs to of less width than the face of the ring, a liquid-groove in the periphery of the ring, and aliquid-chamber the outer wall of which is formed by said ribs, substantially as described.

'14. A piston having an expansible ring formed of sections provided with inwardlyextending ribs to, a liquid-groove in the periphery of the 1ing, a liquid-chamber the outer wall of which is formed by said ribs,

and divided springs 40 on. opposite sides of 1 said ribs, substantially as described.

15. A piston formed of sections provided with inwardlyextending ribs w of less width than the face of the ring, a liquid-groove in the periphery of the ring, a liquid chamber the outer wall of which is formed by said ribs, and one or' more passages connecting the liquid chamber and groove, substantially as described.

16. A piston-ring formed of sections f and keepers 9 having liquid-groove e, heels 1 on the keepers engaging the inner surfaces on entering grooves in the keepers, inwardly-- projecting ribs to on the sections and keephaving an expansible ring ers, and divided springs 40 on opposite sides of the ribs '10, substantially as described.

19. In a direct-acting pump, the combination with the piston and plunger, of a rod having a water-passage therein opening to the water-space in the pump-cylinder, a water-groove in the-periphery of the piston, and a water-passage through the piston connectin said groove with the p assage'in the rod, whereby water is forced into said groove under pressure by movement of the piston and plunger, substantially as described.

20. In' a direct-acting pump the combination with the piston and plunger, of a rod having a water-passage therein opening to the water-space in the pump-cylinder, a

water-groove in the periphery of the piston,

a water-passage throu h the piston connecting said groove with t e'passage in the rod, and a valve opening to force liquid through the passage in the rod as the plunger moves in one direction and acting to close said passage on the return stroke, whereby water is forced into said grooveunder ressure by the movement of the piston and plunger, substantially as described.

21. The combination with piston U, and plunger B havingconnecting-rod 0 provided with water-passage a, of annular waterchamber 0 in the piston, passage 1) connecting passage 0, and the water-chamber, an expansible ring the inner side of which forms the outer wall of the water-chamber c and having a water-grooveinits periphery, the surfaces of said ring acted on by the outward ICO . with water-passage a, ofannular waterchamber 0 in the piston, passage. b connecting passage 0. and the water-chamber, an expansible ring the inner side of which forms the outer wall of the water-chamber c and having a water-groove in its periphery, the

surface of said ring acted on by the outward pressure in water-chamber 0 being greater than that acted on by the inward pressure in groove e, and a spring-pressed valve 41 ope n ing to admit liquid under force pressureto the passage (1 and closing on the return stroke, substantially as described.

23. The combination with piston U and plunger B having connecting-rod 0 provided with water-passage a, of annular waterchamber 0' in the piston, passage b connecting passage 1. and the water-chamber, an expansible ring the inner side of which forms the outer wall of the water-chamber c and having a water-groove in its periphery, the surfaces of said ring acted on by the outward pressure in water-chamber 0' being greater than that acted on by the inward pressure in groove e, and springs pressing said expansible ring outward, substantially as de scribed.

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set 7 my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses;

DANIEL M. soMERs.

Witnesses:

C. J. SAWYER, A. A. V. BOURKE. 

